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Scherzer struggles in outing vs. Cubs

Scherzer struggles in outing vs. Cubs

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By Geoff Grammer
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Special to MLB.com |

DIAMONDBACKS 5, CUBS 4at Tucson, Ariz.Wednesday, March 5

Cubs at the plate: Carlos Zambrano and Micah Hoffpauir each hit their first spring home runs, both solo shots off Max Scherzer. Luis Figueroa hit his first spring homer in the top of the fifth, also a solo shot.

Diamondbacks at the plate: The Diamondbacks tacked on four runs in the bottom of the eighth, behind a two-RBI single by Alex Romero. Justin Upton legged out a would-be inning-ending double play to get the Diamondbacks on the board in the bottom of the fourth, with an RBI fielder's choice groundout to first, scoring Orlando Hudson from third base.

Cubs on the mound: Carlos Zambrano pitched an efficient three innings, allowing one hit, one walk, no runs and striking out three. Rich Hill allowed one earned run in three innings of relief duty, allowing no hits, but walking three. Bill Lahey got tagged with the loss, giving up one earned run in two-thirds of an inning.

Diamondbacks on the mound: Juan Gutierrez started and pitched two perfect innings, striking out three of the six batters he faced. Scherzer had a rough outing, allowing three earned runs, two off solo home runs, in two innings of work. His line included four hits, four strikeouts and a wild pitch. Brooks Brown got the win, allowing one hit in two innings of relief work.

Cactus League records: Cubs 2-5; Diamondbacks 4-3-1.

Up next: The Diamondbacks travel to Surprise on Thursday to play the Kansas City Royals at 1:05 p.m. MT. Right-hander Dan Haren makes his second start of the spring for Arizona while Kansas City will go with right-hander Zack Greinke. Haren is scheduled to go three innings. Emilio Bonifacio was scratched from the lineup after being hit in the head by a pitch Tuesday and Stephen Drew is penciled in to start at short. Drew, however, was scratched from Wednesday's game due to the flu, his second straight missed game.

Geoff Grammer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.